Floor cleaning machine with solid chemical recovery tank defoaming assembly

ABSTRACT

A floor cleaning machine is provided. The floor cleaning machine includes a cleaning head configured for cleaning a floor surface with a cleaning solution. A collection mechanism is configured to collect used cleaning solution following use by the cleaning head. A conduit fluidly connects the collection mechanism with a recovery tank. The conduit is configured to convey a flow of the used cleaning solution from the collection mechanism to the recovery tank. A defoaming system is positioned proximate the recovery tank and includes a solid chemical defoaming form. The solid chemical defoaming form is configured for dissolution within the flow of the used cleaning solution. The flow of the used cleaning solution is directed over the solid chemical defoaming form and into the recovery tank.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of pending U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/930,691, filed Nov. 5, 2019, the disclosure of whichis incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Floor cleaning machines are designed to clean floor surfaces. In certaininstances, the floor surface can be formed from hard materials, such asthe non-limiting examples of tile, wood, concrete and the like. In otherinstances, the floor surface can be formed from softer materials, suchas the non-limiting examples of carpet and cork.

When cleaning the floor surface, typically, the floor cleaning machineapplies a solution formed from a combination of water and a detergent toan area of the floor surface, scrubs the floor surface with thedetergent solution, and vacuums the dirty or spent detergent solutionoff the floor surface. The floor cleaning machine can have a dedicatedcompartment or tank for the recovered detergent solution.

In certain instances, a foam can be developed as a cleaning head scrubsthe floor surface with the detergent solution. In other instances, thedetergent solution can include a foaming element configured to cause thedetergent solution to develop a cleaning enhancing foam during use by acleaning head. In still other instances, foam can be developed as thevacuumed dirty or spent detergent solution is pulled from the floorsurface due to the vacuum induced air flow.

As the floor cleaning machine conveys the vacuumed dirty or spentdetergent solution off the floor surface to the dedicated recovery tank,the vacuumed foam can occupy a volume of the dedicated recovery tank,thereby resulting in frequent stoppages of the floor cleaning effort toempty the dedicated recovery tank. In other instances, the vacuumed foamcan become ingested into a vacuum inducing fan, thereby potentiallyshortening the life of the vacuum fan.

It would be advantageous if the recovered dirty or spent detergentsolution could be defoamed in an efficient manner.

SUMMARY

It should be appreciated that this Summary is provided to introduce aselection of concepts in a simplified form, the concepts being furtherdescribed below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is notintended to identify key features or essential features of thisdisclosure, nor it is intended to limit the scope of the floor cleaningmachine with a solid chemical recovery tank defoaming assembly.

The above objects as well as other objects not specifically enumeratedare achieved by a floor cleaning machine. The floor cleaning machineincludes a cleaning head configured for cleaning a floor surface with acleaning solution. A collection mechanism is configured to collect usedcleaning solution following use by the cleaning head. A conduit fluidlyconnects the collection mechanism with a recovery tank. The conduit isconfigured to convey a flow of the used cleaning solution from thecollection mechanism to the recovery tank. A defoaming system ispositioned proximate the recovery tank and includes a solid chemicaldefoaming form. The solid chemical defoaming form is configured fordissolution within the flow of the used cleaning solution. The flow ofthe used cleaning solution is directed over the solid chemical defoamingform and into the recovery tank.

The above objects as well as other objects not specifically enumeratedare also achieved by a method of method of operating a floor cleaningmachine. The method including the steps of cleaning a floor surface witha cleaning head and a cleaning solution, collecting the cleaningsolution used by the cleaning head with a collection mechanism,conveying a flow of the used cleaning solution from the collectionmechanism to a recovery tank, directing the flow of the used cleaningsolution over a defoaming system positioned proximate to the recoverytank, the defoaming system including a solid chemical defoaming form,the solid chemical defoaming form configured for dissolution within theflow of the used cleaning solution.

Various objects and advantages of the floor cleaning machine with asolid chemical recovery tank defoaming assembly will become apparent tothose skilled in the art from the following Detailed Description, whenread in light of the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a floor cleaning machine in accordancewith the invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the floor cleaning machine of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of a portion of the housing of thefloor cleaning machine of FIG. 1, shown with a conduit extending to asqueegee-type collection mechanism of the floor cleaning machine of FIG.1.

FIG. 4 is a side view of a recovery tank of the floor cleaning machineof FIG. 1 illustrating a defoaming system.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the defoaming system of FIG.4.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the floor cleaning machine of FIG. 1,illustrating insertion of the defoaming system of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the floor cleaning machine of FIG. 1,illustrating a flow of conveyed dirty or spent detergent solution intothe defoaming system of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The floor cleaning machine with a solid chemical recovery tank defoamingassembly (hereafter “floor cleaning machine”) will now be described withoccasional reference to specific embodiments. The floor cleaning machinemay, however, be embodied in different forms and should not be construedas limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, theseembodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough andcomplete, and will fully convey the scope of the floor cleaning machineto those skilled in the art.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill inthe art to which the floor cleaning machine belongs. The terminologyused in the description of the floor cleaning machine herein is fordescribing particular embodiments only and is not intended to belimiting of the floor cleaning machine. As used in the description ofthe floor cleaning machine and the appended claims, the singular forms“a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well,unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities ofdimensions such as length, width, height, and so forth as used in thespecification and claims are to be understood as being modified in allinstances by the term “about.” Accordingly, unless otherwise indicated,the numerical properties set forth in the specification and claims areapproximations that may vary depending on the desired properties soughtto be obtained in embodiments of the floor cleaning machine.Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forththe broad scope of the floor cleaning machine are approximations, thenumerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported asprecisely as possible. Any numerical values, however, inherently containcertain errors necessarily resulting from error found in theirrespective measurements.

The description and figures disclose a floor cleaning machine equippedwith a solid chemical recovery tank defoaming assembly. The solidchemical recovery tank defoaming assembly utilizes a system that directsa flow of dirty or spent detergent solution over a solid chemicaldefoaming form configured to defoam the dirty or spent detergentsolution. The solid chemical recovery tank defoaming assembly ispositioned proximate a recovery tank, in a manner such that the flow ofthe dirty or spent detergent solution being conveyed from asqueegee-type of collection device to the recovery tank flows over thedefoaming assembly on the path to the recovery tank. As the dirty orspent detergent solution flows over the defoaming assembly, a solidchemical defoaming dissolves at a measured rate, thereby impartingdefoaming materials into the flow of the dirty or spent detergentsolution.

Referring now to the drawings, there is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, afloor cleaning machine 10. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, thefloor cleaning machine 10 has the form of a walk-behind mid-sizeautomatic (auto) scrubber. However, it should be appreciated that inother embodiments, that the various objects and advantages describedherein can be applied to floor cleaning machine 10 having other forms,such as the non-limiting examples of a ride-on floor scrubber, steamcleaners, floor buffing machines, industrial vacuums and the like. Thefloor cleaning machine 10 includes a leading portion 12, a rear-wardportion 14 and a center portion 16. A plurality of drive wheels 18 arepositioned in the center portion 16 and a plurality of rear supportwheels 20 are positioned adjacent the rearward portion 14. A cleaninghead 22 is positioned at the leading portion and a squeegee-typecollection mechanism 24 is positioned at the rearward portion 14. In theillustrated embodiment, the cleaning head 22 has the form of a diskhead. However, in other embodiments, the cleaning head can have otherforms, including the non-limiting example of an orbital head. Thesqueegee-type collection mechanism 24 is an arcuate structure configuredto form a seal with the floor surface thereby facilitating thecollection dirty or spent detergent solution. The squeegee-typecollection mechanism 24 further configured to direct the collected dirtyor spent detergent solution to a location for access by a vacuumoperated conduit. A machine housing 26 is configured to enclose variousdrive mechanisms (not shown), water and chemical delivery systems (notshown) and various solution recovery apparatus (not shown) position inthe leading, center and rearward portions 12, 16 and 14. Anoperation/control panel 28 is positioned at the rearward portion 14.

Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 2, the floor cleaning machine 10 can beused to efficiently and effectively clean floors, replacing traditionalmops and buckets. The floor cleaning machine 10 operates to apply acleaning solution to a floor surface and aggressively scrub and dry thefloor surface in one pass of the floor cleaning machine. With being ableto clean with only one pass, as well as the ability to clean more squarefootage per hour, floor cleaning machines can speed up the floorcleaning process.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the squeegee-type of collection mechanism 24and a portion of the machine housing 26 are illustrated. A first end 30of a conduit 32 is fastened to the squeegee-type of collection mechanism24. A second end (not shown) extends into the machine housing 26. As isconventional in the industry, the conduit 32 is provided with a vacuumforce sufficient to remove collected dirty or spent detergent solutionfrom the squeegee-type of collection mechanism 24 and convey the dirtyor spent detergent solution to the machine housing 26, as depicted bydirection arrows D1.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a cross-section view of a portion of themachine housing 26 and the conduit 32 are illustrated. A second end 34of the conduit 32 is fixed proximate a solid chemical defoaming assembly40 (hereafter “defoaming assembly”). The defoaming assembly 40 ispositioned within a recovery tank 42. The defoaming assembly 40 includesa dissolving solid chemical defoaming form 44 (hereafter “defoamingform”) that contains defoamant chemicals configured to reduce the amountof foam that is formed from the conveyed dirty or spent detergentsolution entering the recovery tank 42. It should be appreciated thatthe foam in the conveyed dirty or spent detergent solution can beremaining from the cleaning process involving the cleaning head 22and/or the foam can result from agitating the dirty or spent detergentsolution during the conveyance within the conduit 32.

Referring again to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, the defoamingform 44 includes powdered, silicone antifoam trans 2112 as the primarydefoamant and stearic acid (n-octadecanoic) and/or vegetable stearic asthe primary binding agents, combined into a form configured to dissolveas the conveyed dirty or spent detergent solution flows over thedefoaming assembly 40. The defoaming form 44 also includes dendriticsalt and/or magnesium sterate to control the dissolution rate. However,in other embodiments, the defoaming form 44 can be formed from otherdesired defoamant chemicals. It should also be appreciated that thechemical composition of the defoamant materials can be tailored fordifferent cleaning solutions and different dissolution rates.

Referring now to FIG. 5, an exploded view of the defoaming assembly 40is illustrated. The defoaming assembly 40 includes the defoaming form 44seated in a retention cage 46, as represented by direction arrow D2. Thecombination of the defoaming form 44 and the retention cage 46 areconnected to a base screen 50, as represented by direction arrows D3.

Referring again to FIG. 5, the defoaming form 44 has the shape of asolid cylinder. However, in other embodiments, the defoaming form 44 canhave other forms, including the form of a hollow cylinder. In stillother embodiments, it is contemplated that the defoaming form 44 canhave the shape of a rectangular or square-shaped block, a ball, apyramid and the like. In still other embodiments, it is contemplatedthat the defoaming form 44 can have apertures, perforations, channelsand the like configured to facilitate measured dissolution of the solidchemical defoaming 44 into the flow of the conveyed dirty or spentdetergent solution.

Referring again to FIG. 5, the retention cage 46 is configured to housethe defoaming form 44 while allowing a flow of conveyed dirty or spentdetergent solution exiting the second end 34 of the conduit 32 to flowover the defoaming form 44, through the retention cage 46 and into therecovery tank 42. The retention cage 46 includes a circumferential wall52 having a plurality of spaced apart apertures 54.

Referring again to FIG. 5, an end wall 56 is configured to enclose alower end 58 of the circumferential wall 54. The end wall 56 includes aplurality of spaced apart apertures 60. The spaced apart apertures 54,60 positioned in the circumferential wall 54 and the end wall 58 areconfigured to facilitate exit of the conveyed dirty or spent detergentsolution flowing over the defoaming form 44 and through the defoamingassembly 40. In the illustrated embodiment, the apertures 54 have anelongated, expanding shape and the apertures 60 have the shape of radialslots. However, in other embodiments, the apertures 54, 60 can haveother desired shapes and can have other desired spacing sufficient tofacilitate exit of the conveyed dirty or spent detergent solutionflowing over the defoaming form 44 and through the defoaming assembly40.

Referring again to FIG. 5, the retention cage 46 includes an upper end62. The upper end 62 of the retention cage 46 is configured to seatagainst the base screen 50. The upper end 62 includes a plurality ofretention segments 64 extending in an outwardly radial direction fromthe upper end 62. The retention segments 64 will be discussed in moredetail below.

Referring again to FIG. 5, the base screen 50 includes a support collar70, a circumferential wall 72 connected to the support collar 70 and anend wall 74 configured to enclose a lower portion 76 of thecircumferential wall 72. The support collar 70 extends in a radialdirection from the circumferential wall 72 and is configured to seat ina portion of the recovery tank 42. The circumferential wall 72 has aplurality of spaced apart apertures 76. The end wall 74 includes aplurality of spaced apart apertures 78. The spaced apart apertures 76,78 positioned in the circumferential wall 72 and the end wall 74 areconfigured to facilitate exit of the conveyed dirty or spent detergentsolution flowing into the defoaming system 40 from the conduit 32. Theapertures 76, 78 are further configured to facilitate the flow of theconveyed dirty or spent detergent solution over the defoaming form 44positioned in the retention cage 46. In the illustrated embodiment, theapertures 76 have an elongated shape and the apertures 78 have acircular cross-sectional shape. However, in other embodiments, theapertures 76, 78 can have other desired shapes and can have otherdesired spacing sufficient to facilitate exit of the conveyed dirty orspent detergent solution flowing into the defoaming system 40 from theconduit 32 and further sufficient to facilitate the flow of the conveyeddirty or spent detergent solution over the defoaming form 44 positionedin the retention cage 46.

Referring again to FIG. 5, the end wall 74 of the base screen 50includes a plurality of spaced apart retention elements 80 extending inan axial direction away from the end wall 74. Each of the retentionelements 80 forms a retention slot 82 in a space between the end wall 74and a retention arm 84. The spaced apart retention elements 80 arearranged in a circular pattern with a diameter that approximates adiameter of the upper end 62 of the retention cage 46. In an assembledarrangement with the upper end 62 of the retention cage 46 seatedagainst the end wall 74 of the base screen 50, the retention cage 46 isrotated such that the retention segments 64 engage the retentionelements 80 extending from the end wall 74 of the base screen 50.Further rotation of the retention cage 46 results in the seating of theretention segments 64 in the retention slots 82. The assembled structureof the defoaming form 44, the retention cage 46 and the base screen 50forms the defoaming system 40. The mating retention segments 64 andretention elements 80 advantageously allows easy installation andreplacement of the defoaming form 44. While the embodiment illustratedin FIG. 5 shows the mating retention segments 64 and retention elements80, it should be appreciated that in other embodiments, the defoamingform 44, retention cage 46 and base screen 50 can be assembled togetherusing other structures, mechanisms and devices.

Referring now to FIGS. 4, 6 and 7, a portion of the floor cleaningmachine 10 is illustrated with a recovery tank lid 90 rotated to an openposition. With the recovery tank lid 90 in the open position, therecovery tank 42 is exposed. A recovery tank support 92 extends from aside of the recovery tank 42. The recovery tank support 92 includes anaperture 94. The aperture 94 has a diameter that is slightly larger thana diameter of the circumferential wall 72 forming the base screen 50.Accordingly, as the defoaming system 40 is lowered into the aperture 94,the support collar 70 seats against the recovery tank support 92 and thedefoaming form 44 and the retention cage 46 extend into the recoverytank 42 below the recovery tank support 92.

Referring now to FIGS. 3, 4 and 7, operation of the defoaming system 40will now be described. Referring first to FIG. 3 as described above,conduit 32 is provided with a vacuum force sufficient to removecollected dirty or spent detergent solution from the squeegee-type ofcollection mechanism 24 and convey the dirty or spent detergent solutionto the machine housing 26, as depicted by direction arrows D1. Referringnow to FIG. 4 in a next step, the conveyed dirty or spent detergentsolution exits the second end 34 of the conduit 32, as depicted bydirection arrow D4. Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 7 in a next step, theconveyed dirty or spent detergent solution enters the defoaming system40, as depicted by direction arrow D5. Next, as shown in FIG. 4, theconveyed dirty or spent detergent solution flows through the apertures76, 78 in the base screen 50 and over the defoaming form 44, as depictedby direction arrow D6. As the conveyed dirty or spent detergent solutionflows over the defoaming form 44, the defoaming form 44 graduallydissolves, thereby advantageously imparting defoaming chemicals into theconveyed dirty or spent detergent solution and reducing the foaming ofthe conveyed dirty or spent detergent solution. In a final step, theconveyed dirty or spent detergent solution and the imparted defoamingchemicals flow into the recovery tank 42.

The solid chemical recovery tank defoaming system provides manybenefits, although all benefits may not be available in all embodiments.First, the solid formation of the defoaming form eliminates the additionof and/or the mixing of liquid defoaming chemicals. Second, thedissolution of the solid chemical form within the interior of therecovery tank reduces chemical contact by a machine user. Third, thesolid chemical recovery tank defoaming system helps protect a vacuuminducing fan from foam-related damage. Finally, the dissolution of thesolid chemical form is adjustable, thereby increasing the likelihoodthat an optimal defoaming solution is provided.

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, the principleand mode of operation of the floor cleaning machine with a solidchemical recovery tank defoaming system have been explained andillustrated in certain embodiments. However, it must be understood thatthe floor cleaning machine with a solid chemical recovery tank defoamingsystem may be practiced otherwise than as specifically explained andillustrated without departing from its spirit or scope.

What is claimed is:
 1. A floor cleaning machine comprising: a cleaninghead configured for cleaning a floor surface with a cleaning solution; acollection mechanism configured to collect used cleaning solutionfollowing use by the cleaning head; a conduit fluidly connects thecollection mechanism with a recovery tank, the conduit configured toconvey a flow of the used cleaning solution from the collectionmechanism to the recovery tank; a defoaming system positioned proximateto the recovery tank, the defoaming system including a solid chemicaldefoaming form, the solid chemical defoaming form configured fordissolution within the flow of the used cleaning solution, wherein theflow of the used cleaning solution is directed over the solid chemicaldefoaming form and into the recovery tank.
 2. The floor cleaning machineof claim 1, wherein the solid chemical defoaming form is positionedwithin a retention cage.
 3. The floor cleaning machine of claim 2,wherein the combination of the solid chemical defoaming form and theretention cage are attached to a base screen.
 4. The floor cleaningmachine of claim 2, wherein the retention cage includes a plurality ofapertures configured to facilitate exit of the used cleaning solutionflowing over the solid chemical defoaming form from the defoaming systemand into the recovery tank.
 5. The floor cleaning machine of claim 1,wherein the solid chemical defoaming form has the shape of a solidcylinder.
 6. The floor cleaning machine of claim 3, wherein the basescreen includes a plurality of apertures configured to facilitate exitof the used cleaning solution flowing through the base screen to thesolid chemical defoaming form.
 7. The floor cleaning machine of claim 3,wherein the retention cage including a plurality of retention segmentsconfigured for engagement with retention elements formed on the basescreen.
 8. The floor cleaning machine of claim 3, wherein the basescreen includes a support collar configured to seat on a recovery tanksupport.
 9. The floor cleaning machine of claim, wherein the solidchemical defoaming form includes powdered, silicone antifoam trans 2112as the primary defoamant.
 10. The floor cleaning machine of claim 1,wherein the solid chemical defoaming form has a measured dissolutionrate.
 11. A method of operating a floor cleaning machine, the methodcomprising the steps of: cleaning a floor surface with a cleaning headand a cleaning solution; collecting the cleaning solution used by thecleaning head with a collection mechanism; conveying a flow of the usedcleaning solution from the collection mechanism to a recovery tank;directing the flow of the used cleaning solution over a defoaming systempositioned proximate to the recovery tank, the defoaming systemincluding a solid chemical defoaming form, the solid chemical defoamingform configured for dissolution within the flow of the used cleaningsolution.
 12. The method of claim 11, including the step of positioningthe solid chemical defoaming form within a retention cage.
 13. Themethod of claim 12, including the step of attaching the combination ofthe solid chemical defoaming form and the retention cage to a basescreen.
 14. The method of claim 12, including the step of forming aplurality of apertures in the retention cage, the apertures configuredto facilitate exit of the used cleaning solution flowing over the solidchemical defoaming form from the defoaming system and into the recoverytank.
 15. The method of claim 11, wherein the solid chemical defoamingform has the shape of a solid cylinder.
 16. The method of claim 13,including the step of forming a plurality of apertures in the basescreen, the plurality of apertures configured to facilitate exit of theused cleaning solution flowing through the base screen to the solidchemical defoaming form.
 17. The method of claim 13, including the stepof forming a plurality of retention segments on the retention cage, theplurality of retention segments configured for engagement with retentionelements formed on the base screen.
 18. The method of claim 13,including the step of seating the base screen on a recovery tanksupport.
 19. The method of claim 11, wherein the solid chemicaldefoaming form includes powdered, silicone antifoam trans 2112 as theprimary defoamant.
 20. The method of claim 11, wherein the solidchemical defoaming form has a measured dissolution rate.